Q&A with Lee Knox of Tile & Designs
Nestled in Shadyside, right off Ellsworth Avenue, is Tile & Designs, where business owner Lee Knox guides customers through the process of creating a beautiful space. Knox has been working in the design industry for more than 40 years and knows a thing or two about what’s really involved in selecting the Maniac Magazine: What made you decide to get into design?
Lee Knox: It’s a fun business working with people to change and enhance a space. My love for architecture and travel has given me an in-depth look into the design business.
MM: What’s the most unique space you’ve ever helped design?
LK: We have worked on so many unique spaces that it would be hard to zero in on just one. For us, every space is unique in its own right. The restaurant Morcilla comes to mind because it is new; it showcases our Terracotta tile in many shapes and sizes with beautiful rustic green tile for the back of the bar. Many of our full-house projects are so special and can be seen on many house tours.
MM: What’s your favorite part of your job?
LK: Working with people to help them with their projects and to be part of the selection process that will express their own unique style through good functional design using our beautiful, durable products.
MM: What’s one of your most rare tile products?
LK: A Terracotta tile product combined with precious stones created by the water-cut process. It is made in Abu Dhabi by a manufacturer who used to work in Italy with many years of experience in tile production.
MM: Tell us a bit about the Walker Zanger line, which is exclusive to Tile & Designs. What makes it unique?
LK: We have represented Walker Zanger for more than 30 years, and we love the product mix they give to us. Their design team creates their unique, classic products. They own their own ceramic tile manufacturing plants, and they own many stone quarries throughout the world, enabling them to control both production and quality. They reach out to the top international designers and architects to design for them, such as Robert A. M. Stern, whose tile collection includes an eclectic variety of shapes that are new to the ceramic tile industry. In addition to Walker Zanger, we represent many other lines that are exclusive to Tile & Designs.
MM: What makes Tile & Designs different from places like Home Depot or Lowes?
LK: It’s our mix of products that we have carefully selected to bring to the greater Pittsburgh marketplace. We, and our vendors, search the globe for unique products on the cutting edge of ceramics, stone, and glass. Our creative staff has degrees in design, with an in-depth product knowledge to work with a customer to achieve the right design for the space presented.
Need help designing a space?
Visit Tile & Designs, Inc. at 229 Spahr St. in Shadyside and tileanddesigns.com for more information.
